Mithali 13
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya baba yake, bali mwenye dhihaka hatasikiliza karipio.
A wise son [becometh so] by the correction of his father; but a scorner hearkeneth not to rebuke.
2 Mtu hufurahia vitu vizuri kutokana na matunda ya kinywa chake, bali hamu ya wadanganyifu ni jeuri.
From the fruit of a man's mouth doth he eat what is good; but the longing of the treacherous is for violence.
3 Yeye anayelinda kinywa chake huyalinda maisha, bali anayefumbua sana midomo yake atajiangamiza mwenyewe.
He that watcheth his mouth guardeth his soul; but he that openeth wide his lips [prepareth] himself destruction.
4 Hamu ya watu wavivu ni uchu lakini hawapati kitu, bali hamu ya watu wenye bidii hutoshelezwa sana.
The sluggard longeth [in] his soul, and there [cometh] nothing; but the soul of the diligent will be abundantly gratified.
5 Atendaye haki huchukia uongo, bali mtu mwovu hukinzana mwenyewe, na kufanya ya kuaibisha.
The righteous hateth the word of falsehood; but the wicked bringeth shame and dishonor.
6 Wenye haki huwalinda wale ambao ni wakamilifu katika mapito yao, bali uovu huwaangusha wale watendao dhambi.
Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright on his way; but wickedness perverteth the [man of] sin.
7 Kuna mtu ambaye hujitajirisha mwenyewe, lakini hana chochote na kuna mtu ambaye hutoa kila kitu, bado ni tajiri kweli.
There is some one that pretendeth to be rich without having any thing; another that pretendeth to be poor while having abundant wealth.
8 Mtu tajiri anaweza kufidia maisha yake kwa mali zake, bali mtu masikini hatapokea kitisho cha aina hiyo.
As the ransom of a man's life [hath he often to give] his riches; but the poor heareth no threat.
9 Mwanga wa mtu atendaye haki hufurahia, bali taa ya waovu itazimika.
The light of the righteous burneth joyfully; but the lamp of the wicked will be quenched.
10 Kiburi huzaa mafarakano, bali kwa wale wasikiao shauri jema kuna hekima.
Only through presumptuous conduct doth man produce contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Penye majivuno mengi utajiri hufifia, bali yeye apataye pesa kwa kufanya kazi kwa mkono wake pesa zake zitaongezeka.
Wealth [gotten] by vain deeds will be diminished; but he that gathereth by close labor will increase it.
12 Tumaini linapoachwa, huvunja moyo, bali kukamilishwa kwa shauku ni mti wa uzima.
Expectation long deferred maketh the heart sick; but a tree of life is a desire which is fulfilled.
13 Yule ambaye anadharau fundisho bado atakuwa chini ya utawala wake, bali yeye ambaye anaheshimu amri atapewa thawabu.
Whoso despiseth the word shall fall in debt to it; but he that feareth the commandment will be rewarded.
14 Mafundisho ya mtu mwenye hekima ni chemchemi ya uzima, yanakuondoa kutoka kwenye mitego ya mauti.
The instruction of the wise is a source of life, [teaching] to avoid the snares of death.
15 Busara njema huleta fadhila, bali njia ya wadanganyifu haina mwisho.
Good intelligence giveth grace; but the way of the treacherous is hard.
16 Watu wenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa kwa kila uamuzi, bali mpumbavu huonyesha upuuzi wake.
Every prudent man acteth with knowledge; but a fool spreadeth abroad his folly.
17 Mjumbe mbaya huangukia kwenye shida, bali balozi mwaminifu huleta upatanisho.
A wicked messenger falleth into unhappiness; but a faithful ambassador [bringeth] healing.
18 Yeye ambaye hupuuza kurudiwa atapata umasikini na aibu, bali heshima itamjia yeye ambaye hujifunza kutokana na masahihisho.
Poverty and disgrace will overtake him that rejecteth correction; but he that observeth admonition will be honored.
19 Shauku iliyotambuliwa ni tamu kwa hamu, bali wapumbavu huchukia kuacha uovu.
A desire accomplished is pleasant to the soul; but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 Tembea pamoja na watu wenye hekima nawe utakuwa na hekima, bali rafiki wa wapumbavu atateseka.
He that walketh with wise men will become wise; but he that associateth with fools will be destroyed.
21 Maafa huwakimbilia wenye dhambi, bali wale watendao haki hupewa thawabu kwa mema.
Evil pursueth the sinners; but the righteous will [God] repay with happiness.
22 Mtu mwema huacha urithi kwa wajukuu wake, bali mali ya mwenye dhambi huwekwa akiba kwa yule atendaye haki.
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; but the wealth of the sinner is treasured up for the righteous.
23 Shamba la masikini lisilolimwa linaweza huzalisha chakula kingi, bali huchukuliwa kwa udhalimu.
Much food bringeth the new-tilled ground of the poor; but there are many others that are taken away through injustice.
24 Yeye ambaye hamrudi mwanawe humchukia, bali yule anayempenda mwanawe humjali kwa kumwadibisha.
He that withholdeth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chastiseth him betimes.
25 Yeye atendaye haki hula hadi kutosheleza hamu yake bali tumbo la mwovu linanjaa daima.
The righteous eateth to satisfy his desire [to eat]; but the belly of the wicked always suffereth want.
